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Moments with You Couples Devotional 2/20

2014Feb 20

COMMENTS

FEBRUARY 20

Life in the Fast-Food Lane

BY BARBARA RAINEY

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. EXODUS 20:8

When Truett Cathy opened his Dwarf House restaurant in the Atlanta suburb of Hapeville, Georgia, in 1946, he made a decision never to deal with money on the Lord's Day. The Dwarf House was always closed on Sundays. Perhaps this policy didn't seem extremely revolutionary to his post-World War II American patrons. But that small restaurant was the first franchise for Chick-fil-A®—and by the organization's sixtieth anniversary, it had multiplied into over 1,200 restaurant locations. As Chick-fil-A continues to grow, it also continues to close its operations on Sunday, traditionally one of the biggest days for food service.

Being closed on Sunday is a reflection of Truett's purpose statement for his company. It's an investment in the spiritual lives of his employees and a witness to both the watching world and the restaurant industry. He still refers to his closed-on-Sunday policy as "the best business decision I ever made." In fact, Chick-fil-A restaurants often generate more money in six days than other comparable restaurants do in seven. Being closed on Sunday is also a reflection of one of my core values: Sabbath rest. I believe that when we yield control of our lives to the Father—when we reserve our Sundays to turn from our activity to rest and to abide more fully in Him—we receive strength for daily living throughout the coming week and live under the blessing of God.

The Sabbath is God's invitation to draw near to Him, to rest in Him, and to linger by His still waters. It's how He helps detoxify you from the pressures of life. It's how He restores your soul. Perhaps it's even how He makes Chick-fil-A sandwiches taste so good on Monday.

DISCUSS
How does your family practice Sabbath rest? How could you make God-honoring relaxation more of a deliberate effort?